(Newark, DE 19702) On Friday, May 8, 2026, at approximately 11:45 p.m., officers from the New Castle County Division of Police responded to a residence in the unit block of Three Rivers Court for a report of CPR in progress.

Upon arrival, officers contacted 29-year-old David Lewis, who reported that he had left the residence and, upon returning home, found his mother, 60-year-old Valerra Lewis, inside a bedroom covered in blood. Officers entered the residence and located Valerra Lewis, who had sustained multiple stab wounds to her upper body and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers observed a blood-covered knife in the residence, along with a large amount of blood in various locations throughout the home, and recognized a strong odor of cleaning products throughout the home.

Detectives from the Division’s Criminal Investigations Unit and Evidence Detection Unit were contacted, responded to the scene, and assumed the investigation.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined that David Lewis stabbed his mother, Valerra Lewis, multiple times with a knife and later attempted to destroy physical evidence by cleaning various items within the residence. It is believed that this was done in an effort to destroy evidence connected to the incident.

David Lewis was subsequently taken into custody and transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:

•            One felony count of Murder First Degree

•            One felony count of Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony

•            One felony count of Providing a False Statement to a Law Enforcement Officer

•            One felony count of Tampering with Physical Evidence

David Lewis was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $1,055,178 cash bail.

David Lewis – 29

Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police Violent Crime Interdiction Team arrested 48-year-old Brian Flagg of Newark and 36-year-old Devyn Brohawn of Newark on multiple felony charges following an investigation into suspected drug-dealing activity in Newark and surrounding areas.

On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, detectives, with assistance from Delaware Probation and Parole, executed several search warrants at residences connected to Brian Flagg, including a home in the unit block of Granville Lane in Newark. During the search, detectives recovered approximately 65 grams of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 9 grams of suspected crack cocaine, and additional drug paraphernalia.

Detectives also executed a search warrant at a residence in the unit block of Hobart Drive in Newark. During the search, Detectives contacted Devyn Brohawn, who was found in possession of handgun ammunition. Detectives determined Brohawn was prohibited from possessing ammunition due to a prior conviction.

Additionally, Detectives recovered property belonging to a business in Middletown. Information related to that investigation was forwarded to the law enforcement agency handling the case.

Both individuals were transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters and charged with the following:

Brian Flagg

• One felony count of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance – Tier 3
• One felony count of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
• One felony count of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Tier 1
• One misdemeanor count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Flagg was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $52,100 cash bail.

Devyn Brohawn

• One felony count of Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited
• One misdemeanor count of Resisting Arrest

Brohawn was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution after failing to post $5,500 cash bail.

Victims: Ruben Maldonado, 46-year-old male.  

Date of Incident: May 7, 2013

Location: 758 Christiana Road, Newark, DE 19713

Community: Cedar Wood Apartments

Investigation Details:

On Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at approximately 11:14 p.m., New Castle County Police responded to a shooting in the Cedar Wood Apartments, where they located the victim, Ruben Maldonado, who had sustained a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was later pronounced deceased as a result of his injuries.

If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit at 302-395-8110 or email: Coldcase@Newcastlede.gov

The victims and families of our unsolved cases are not forgotten. Ongoing efforts by the New Castle County Division of Police and the Criminal Investigations Unit’s Cold Case Unit are being made to resolve each case. Additionally, if you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a violent crime or has lost a loved one to sudden death and needs assistance, the New Castle County Division of Police Victim Services Unit is available to offer you support and resources through (302)395-8000.

If you’d like to report information anonymously, Delaware Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organization that offers cash rewards of up to $5,000 for anonymous tips that lead to an arrest. Be sure to retain your Tip ID and password to follow up, provide additional details, or claim a cash reward. Submit a tip by calling 1-800-TIP-3333, visiting www.delawarecrimestoppers.com, or using the P3 Tips mobile app.